FRENCH RE-CONNECTION
By Alvin Uy
Philippine Daily Inquirer
10:41 pm | Tuesday, October 23rd, 2012
THE RCZ Coupé is for enthusiasts who are particularly discerning with regards to driving enjoyment.
Five years ago, Peugeot unveiled the 308 RCZ concept car at the Frankfurt Motor Show, which gave industry observers a refreshing look at the French brand with a car that has all the right curves and an amazing double bubble rear glass.
By 2010, the RCZ became a commercial reality.
Beyond the appealing exterior, its in-house engineers and designers took pains in making sure they got the whole package right. With Peugeot’s 308 sedan platform, it was able to tune the chassis for more spirited driving and several powertrain options to match looks with performance. This writer was the first to test the car during the first official RCZ media test-drive from Manila to Subic Bay last week. This was the first out-of-town brand experience event staged by Eurobrands Distributor Inc. (EDI), the new distributor for Peugeot. The French car brand had a short-lived presence some seven odd years ago and was handled by another company. EDI is part of the Columbian Group of Companies, led by businessman Jose Ch. Alvarez and with automotive industry veteran executive Felix J. Mabilog as president and COO of EDI.
It was also last week, in the first press conference held by EDI, when Peugeot principals from both the Paris headquarters and Malaysian regional office came to Manila to officially relaunch the brand in the local market. The official contract signing between EDI and Peugeot was also witnessed by French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, who in a bid to foster closer bilateral relations forged two agreements on energy production and exhibition of local artwork in a French museum. This was the first time a French prime minister went the country since diplomatic ties were established in 1947.
Being a leader in the cabriolet and coupe segment in Europe, it is not surprising that Peugeot came up with this model. At first glance, the silhouette seems to look like Peugeot’s answer to Audi’s higher-priced TT coupe. But to keep the purity of the original styling, several distinctive design cues including the twin aluminum roof rails, double bubble rear glass and the front were retained to make it distinctively Peugeot. What is also unique about this car is that the first-model Peugeot didn’t follow the usual double- or single-zero numerical model system. Since Peugeot considers itself to be a global brand nowadays, it is embarking on a fresh communications strategy by positioning it as a modern and emotional dimension to its products. It is also the leading diesel engine maker, so it is not surprising the RCZ has a diesel-engine variant in other markets.
THE FIRST four models to be introduced in the Philippines, shown at the Subic grounds. PHOTOS BY ALVIN UY
The compact 2+2 RCZ Coupé is competitively priced at P2.5 million and is aimed at enthusiasts who are particularly discerning with regards to driving enjoyment. With this kind of pricing, one can opt to buy an Oriental hot-hatch high-performance sedan with all the bells and whistles, or choose the RCZ, which has a visual value 10 times over. With a price well within reasonable range and the sex appeal of a sleek and exotic Euro sports coupe, the car offers quality and meticulous attention to detail. Attention has been devoted to the style of each component and the choice of the materials. From the leather finish and its double overstitching to the use of chrome aluminum inserts, the inside cabin offers a feel of quality and taste.
It was such a pleasure driving the 156-horsepower 1.6-liter THP (turbo high pressure) variant en route to Subic. It is not surprising to get a lot of curious looks from passing cars and its curb side appeal only adds to the ownership pleasure. Opening the throttle offers a distinctive and impressive exhaust note while cocooned inside its spacious cabin. The rear seats fold down allowing longer and bigger luggage room for that short out-of-town drive. Check out the RCZ, along with its three other models—the 3008, 5008 and 508—in the soon-to-open Peugeot showrooms by November.
The first three showrooms will be opening in Global City, Las Piñas and Cabanatuan City.
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Tags: auto , Motoring , Peugeot , RCZ Coupé , test drive
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